The work of the Berriz sisters

From October 2011 to June 2012, Jason Searing (right) served as a volunteer worker on a number of projects in the Cosigina Peninsula in the north-west of Nicaragua. He was mainly involved in environmental projects, but whilst there he visited a number of educational projects managed by our partners, the Berriz Sisters in the town of El Viejo. These are projects funded, at least in part, by the Santa Rosa Fund. He wrote the following account of an event organised by the Sisters specifically by Sister Abdontxu for several rural communities in the area, and we think it will give our readers an idea of the wide range of work carried out by our partner organisation, the Berriz Sisters. December 2011 The Centro Catequstico [which houses the Berriz Sisters] celebrated the year end with a reunion on 13th December, 2011. The event highlighted the wealth of projects the organisation currently undertakes and continues to promote with rural communities including Women Against Violence, drinking water projects, the use of organic and sustainable farming techniques and Taking Care of the Environment, all in the Cosigina Peninsula of north-west Nicaragua. The 50 strong meeting gave a wonderful opportunity for participating groups to discuss the various recent achievements and environmental issues, as well as recognising the hard work that women at home carry out on a daily basis. One of the subjects meant exploring overconsumption while another looked at the problems of chemical fertilisers. Sister Abdontxu (shown below), who has been a leader in many projects in the area, facilitated the meeting and promoted the successes of the groups. Achievements include an increase in the amount and quality of crops which are being produced, although unfortunately market prices have remained low. In terms of animal farming, those who have been rearing pigs have had great success in the sale, which has provided an increased income. Micro-loans have been provided by the organisation to help communities in the collective. Understanding of the procedures was realised through some powerful role plays and reassured the communities that their combined efforts have been worthwhile. A major problem in 2011 was the heavy rainfall which affected crop production in some areas. Rice growers noticed that using a particular strain of rice gives difficulty pollinating during the rainy season, although that can be changed for next year. Rice farmers also saw storage as a current problem. Without storage they have to sell in a saturated market for a low price. However the use of silos (rice storage containers) would mean they could wait to sell the rice when the demand becomes greater. Some communities have been physically isolated

in the rainy season because rising water levels have meant that the bus has not been able to pass through the local rivers, making some necessary provisions unavailable. The problems with water continue in the dry season when irrigation becomes more difficult. The groups suggested that financial help for more powerful water pumps could help when wells become much deeper. The community believed that the sharing of ideas and skills learnt over the year was crucial to the current and future success of the project.